His reasons are always the same. One slap, because I was a mistake. Two kicks, because he's stuck with me. Three punches, because in his eyes I'm a disgrace, and lastly, the final knockout hit because I'm the reason why his life was destroyed.
• • •...
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" real friends are always going to be there by your side, even at times when you tell them to leave "
- Unknown
∞
"Come on, Noah!" Mason sighed, calling out to Noah for what seemed like the millionth time, "Open up!"
"No."
"Please?" Gemma attempted, dragging out the word in a whine.
"No."
"C'mon, buddy! We've got Micky D's!"
"...No."
"He hesitated that time," Mason whispered, an excited glint in his eyes,"how much do you want to bet he's hungry?"
Gemma's eyes lit up, "Are you sure? We've got some of everything! Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, chicken nuggets, you name it and it's waiting out here! All you have to do is open the door!"
It was silent, then the sound of him shuffling over across the room could be heard. He leaned in, pressing his face to the door before saying:
"No."
I sighed, moving closer to the door, "Listen, Noah... I know you're upset, you have every right to be. But not knowing if you're okay is driving us insane."
I was hoping for a sign, movement, literally anything, but all I got was silence.
"You don't have to talk to us if you don't want to, Noah... but please just come out and have something to eat."
He hesitated, but I knew I had gotten through to him when the doorknob began to jiggle. He stood in the doorway, a blank look on his face, before brushing past us down to the living room.
While Noah plops down onto the couch, Gemma and Mason set up one of Noah's favourite movies and spread the assortment of McDonald Happy Meals across the living room table. Noah was curled up on the couch with a blanket, staring at the TV with a bored expression when Jackson walks in the door.
"What's going on? What happened?" he whispered, pulling Mason aside when he caught Gemma's warning glare.
While Mason filled Jackson in, I approached Noah, "What would you like to eat?"
He doesn't even look up at me as he leans forward, grabbing a box of chicken nuggets off of the table.
I sigh as I fall back onto the couch more off to the side of the room. Mason follows my example, while Gemma and Jackson sit on either side of Noah.
